The moment the words left Hilda's lips, Sylphy froze completely.
A crimson blush swept across every inch of her exposed skin.
At the mention of a ballroom dance, the first image that bloomed in her mind was filled with girlish dreams and romantic anticipation.
And that image was instantly, precisely captured by Hilda.
Or perhaps… it had all been part of her deliberate setup from the start.
Sylphy's pupils trembled—but she quickly came to her senses.
"B-But why would anyone else dance at Eris's birthday party…?"
Hilda, still close, smiled knowingly, then gracefully straightened her posture and leaned back against the chair.
"Who said only the birthday girl can dance? What kind of ball would it be if she were the only one dancing?"
"The banquet will indeed start with Eris dancing, but after that, the dance floor opens to everyone attending."
"At that point, under the warm glow of firelight and the harmony of music, everyone will be free to dance in the great domed hall specially prepared for the event."
"At Eris's fifth birthday, since she was so young, we skipped the formal opening and went straight to dancing. I remember she kept asking for cake back then… those were such adorable, innocent days."
Sylphy nodded in a daze. "I see…"
But Hilda's next words made her pupils quake again.
"You see, noble children from all over the region will attend. And at that age, what's a quicker way to express feelings than sharing a dance? That's why my dear husband called it a 'social opportunity.' It's the perfect chance to strengthen ties through marriage prospects, helping noble houses band tightly together."
"At that time, the boys and girls will be inviting each other to 'dance a song together.'"
"It's a code."
"And the most direct expression of affection and closeness."
She lifted her teacup and glanced toward Sylphy.
The latter was completely petrified.
Seeing Sylphy like that, Hilda calmly raised the pressure.
"As far as I know, the girls among the local nobles are quite bold. I wonder just how many of them will ask Allen to share a dance… How exciting, don't you think?"
"G-Girls asking him?!"
"Oh yes. In some ways, noble girls mature faster than boys."
She pointed to her eyes.
"And from what I've seen, it's highly likely that many girls will be doing the inviting."
Hilda watched Sylphy's dazed, swirly-eyed expression—
And added leisurely, "Which is why… who invites Allen for the first dance is particularly important."
The dagger had been drawn.
Satisfied, Hilda took a sip of tea, the rim of the cup gradually hiding the gleam in her eyes as they bore into Sylphy.
By now, Sylphy had sat frozen for a long while. Her expressions of shyness and panic gradually melted away like spring snow.
She thought of Allen.
Of exchanging feelings…
And then—
She thought of Roxy.
In that instant—
Hilda's voice floated out from behind the teacup.
"…Your teacher doesn't seem to be around anymore. Isn't Allen in a bit of danger?"
"So what should you do, Sylphy?"
Sylphy's mouth opened and closed wordlessly, utterly adorable.
But no words came out.
Hilda set her teacup down and rested her chin on her hand as she looked out the window.
"I suddenly remembered… there's still a ballgown in the closet."
Sylphy jolted as she remembered that very revealing dress—and her mind entered panic mode.
"A-Aeris will definitely ask Allen to dance!"
Hilda blinked at that, genuinely surprised.
She opened her mouth in disbelief before bursting into laughter.
"Oh my, Sylphy. Were you actually considering my suggestion just now?"
Sylphy gasped. "Ah! No! I meant Eris would—uh, not me—!"
Hilda waved a hand.
"No need to be nervous, Sylphy. I was only teasing. Over the past six months, I've watched them interact. There's none of that dreamy atmosphere between them."
"When I see them training together with swords…"
Her smile faded. She gently placed down her teacup.
"…For some reason, I always get this strange feeling. As if they're…"
"Brother and sister."
"Speaking of the tenth birthday… I wonder what Allen's birthday in the capital was like?"
"I'm so curious."
In just a few words, all the panic, embarrassment, and confusion on Sylphy's face faded like melted snow.
Her expression regained its usual resolve.
Her reddish-brown eyes focused keenly on Hilda.
Who was staring out the window at the tree beyond.
Her gaze held neither sorrow nor joy.
Because what had been lost was already fact.
And—
It had been over a year.
She had imagined it so many times.
Allen in the royal capital.
Her eldest son.
That day, one year and ten months ago—December 31st.
How had he spent his birthday?
Was he surrounded by James, his wife, and their children, laughing together at a family banquet?
Or—
Was he swept into some grand noble ball like Philip imagined, faced with countless butterfly-like noble girls all wanting to dance with him?
Or—
Was he, because he wasn't truly their blood, coldly neglected by James—sitting in some quiet corner of the estate, gazing at the moon?
Just like…
She had done that same night?
Hilda had imagined it far too many times.
And dreamed of it just as often.
But the dreams never gave her answers.
In every one—
Allen's face was always a blur.
"…Your child surely misses you too."
Hilda flinched, turning to Sylphy. Her lips moved for a few seconds before she gave a helpless smile.
"He probably doesn't even know he has a mother like me… but thank you for the kind words, Sylphy."
Sylphy lowered her eyes, avoiding Hilda's gaze—but then shifted the topic back.
"So you feel that Allen and Eris seem more like siblings?"
Hilda glanced over.
"Yes, Sylphy. That's why I never thought about pairing the two of them together."
"Maybe it's because Allen shares the same name as my own son. I can't help but see my child in him."
"Perhaps…"
"It's just an illusion."
Silence fell between them.
Then Sylphy looked up, smiling softly, and said,
"Then, milady, would you like to see it up close? Allen and Eris together in class is quite the amusing sight."
Hilda was caught off guard—she had intended to tease Sylphy, not be invited so directly. She responded without thinking.
"Is that so…? Just imagining it makes me curious. But won't everyone get nervous if I go? I remember during sword lessons, Ghislane, Allen, and Rudy all visibly tensed up when I showed up. That's why I've stayed away from class since."
"But if you were coming as a teacher, they wouldn't be nervous, right?"
"As… a teacher?"
Hilda blinked and looked at Sylphy.
Who sat straight and proud, a strange glint flickering in her eyes.
And her soft voice floated into Hilda's ears—
"Recently, we've been learning about Boreas noble etiquette in class."
"And what could be more authoritative than the lady of the house teaching it herself?"
In this brief tea-time chat, a new current ran between Sylphy and Hilda—
An air of mutual inducement.
And quiet expectation.
(End of Chapter)
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